There has been a long tradition of party-based RPGs, which has been eroded - imho - the more RPGs were programmed in 3D. Because handling let's say 6 party members in 3D isn't that easy (collsion detection ! etc.).

I just see that there are fewer and fewer party-based RPGs out there.
There are exceptions of the rule, but ot many, imho.

-- “ Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.“ (E.F.Schumacher, Economist, Source)